HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
2010 Ron Paul 30:1
Mr. PAUL.
Madam Speaker, on June 26,
2010, the Galveston Historical Foundation will
celebrate its acquisition of the historic 1861
U.S. Custom House. I was pleased to help
make this possible by sponsoring legislation,
H.R. 2121, which directed the General Services
Administration (GSA) to sell the Custom
House to the Galveston Historical Foundation.
H.R. 2121 passed the House by voice vote on
September 9, 2009. It is therefore a great
pleasure to extend my congratulations to the
Galveston Historical Foundation for acquiring
the U.S. Custom House.
2010 Ron Paul 30:2
The U.S. Custom House is the oldest non-
military federal building in Galveston. The two-
story structure was built in 1861 and has
served many important historical functions, including
housing the ceremony that officially
ended the Civil War in Galveston. In 1917,
construction began on a federal courtroom located
on the second floor of the U.S. Custom
House. In 1970, the house was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and in
1974 it was commemorated as a Historic Custom
House by the U.S. Customs Service.
2010 Ron Paul 30:3
In 1998, the Galveston Historical Foundation
entered into a public-private partnership with
the Federal Government that allowed the Galveston
Historical Foundation to lease the
building from the GSA. Under this agreement,
the Galveston Historical Foundation took responsibility
for performing renovations on the
U.S. Custom House. In 2008, the house was
inundated with six feet of flood waters from
Hurricane Ike. Fortunately, the Galveston Historical
Foundation has been able to complete
restoration of the first floor of the Custom
House earlier this year.
2010 Ron Paul 30:4
Madam Speaker, by owning as opposed to
leasing, the Galveston Historical Foundation
will be able to improve this historical structure
for future generations of Texans. It is difficult
to think of a more appropriate owner for the
U.S. Custom House than the Galveston Historical
Foundation. Founded in 1954, the Galveston
Historical Foundation is one of the Nationís
largest local preservation organizations.
Over the last 56 years, this foundation has expanded
its mission to encompass community
redevelopment, public education, historic preservation
advocacy, maritime preservation and
stewardship of historic properties. Today, the
Galveston Historical Foundation has over
2,000 members representing individuals, families,
and businesses across Texas, the U.S.,
and around the world.
2010 Ron Paul 30:5
The Galveston Historical Foundationís accomplishments
include the redevelopment of
The Strand; the rescue and restoration of the
1877 iron barque the ELISSA; the revitalization
of historic residential neighborhoods and
creation of historic districts; and the conception
of signature events including Dickens on
The Strand and the Galveston Historic Homes
Tour.
2010 Ron Paul 30:6
The Galveston Historical Foundation has received
numerous awards and honors. For example,
they have twice received the National
Trust for Historic Preservationís prestigious
Honor Award. In 1991, the Galveston Historical
Foundation was the first recipient of the
Governorís Award for Excellence in Historic
Preservation, and in 1995, received the National
Trustís first ever award for organizational
excellence. The American Institute of Architects
has presented the foundation a Citation
of Honor for its ongoing contribution to
urban design and the quality of life in Galveston.
In addition, the Association for Preservation
Technology International honored the
Galveston Historical Foundation with a Presidential
Citation in 2004.
2010 Ron Paul 30:7
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I once
again congratulate the Galveston Historical
Foundation for acquiring the U.S. Custom
House, and I extend my thanks to the Galveston
Historical Foundation for all they do to
preserve Galvestonís rich heritage.
